Dapa, Valle del Cauca 3.44

Dapa is a small village and area of weekend homes in the Valle del Cauca Department of west central Colombia. It is located in the mountains about 15 kilometers (9 miles) northwest of the city of Cali. It is a township within the Municipality of Yumbo.Geography and AccessDapa is located on the east slope of the West Andes above the Cauca River Valley. The elevation ranges from 1200m in the foothills to 2100m along the highest ridges. The lower section is called Pilas de Dapa where the road crosses the Arroyohondo River and starts the climb up the mountain. The main population lives above 1500m which is divided up into several sections: Medio Dapa is located about halfway up the mountain and consists mainly of homes and farms. Miravalle is the main center of population farther up the mountain and has a police station, school, and several businesses, along with many homes and a church further along the road. Rincón Dapa is farther up the mountain and is situated in a bowl that is shaped by several streams that come together to form the Arroyohondo River. It is an area of large estates, farms, homes, a school, and scattered businesses like stores and restaurants. Alto Dapa is located above Miravalle and is mainly an area of estates and farms.The main road, Carretera Dapa, is a paved road in mediocre condition that starts at the Cali-Yumbo road and winds through the lower part of Arroyohondo before climbing up the mountain into the main part of Dapa. As the road winds up the mountain is passes through a massive rangeland with xeric vegetation and affords wonderful views of the canyon of the Arroyohondo River and the Cauca Valley.